Match Preview

Freiburg in winning mood on the road ahead of crunch last 16 second leg with West Ham

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham and Freiburg meet for the fourth time this season in the Europa League last 16 second leg this Thursday evening.

Do-or-die, crunch, vital, crucial, huge, decider, massive – call it what you want.

West Ham must summon the spirit of Sevilla and overcome a 1-0 first leg deficit when Freiburg come to the London Stadium.

The Hammers could and should have won their Europa League last 16 first leg comfortably.

Now they have it all to do as David Moyes’ men look to make a European quarter-final for the third consecutive season.

Facing a German team with something to defend feels somewhat ominous for West Ham.

But how are Christian Streich’s side looking ahead of the big game?

Well Moyes and his Hammers should be wary.

VfL Bochum 1848 v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga
Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Because Freiburg are in winning mood on the road ahead of the crunch last 16 second leg with West Ham.

Before beating West Ham, Freiburg held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in Bundesliga.

And since the first leg victory over the frustratingly passive and profligate Hammers, Freiburg beat VfL Bochum 2-1 away from home.

The man who got the winner against West Ham, Michael Gregoritsch, got what proved to be the deciding goal again.

Freiburg took a 2-0 lead in the game with goals either side of half-time. And they held on when Bochum got one back just after the hour mark.

Gregoritsch (7.4/10) and Freiburg’s ‘keeper Noah Atubolu (7.8/10) were the star men for Freiburg. Just as they were in the first leg against West Ham.

West Ham must win by two clear goals to avoid penalties.

READ ALSO

Moyes says most infuriating ref blunder of draw went completely unnoticed

Moyes sends very clear message to fans about what he expects from them for Freiburg

Sullivan has already made feelings clear on 55-year-old managing West Ham